California Per Diem

[lala2019]

Hi,

I am in the process of getting my RN license switched to California in search of PRN jobs. Preferably a position that allows me to work 3 shifts a month. I have a little over a year experience in the hospital setting, along with leadership, and float pool experience. What are the odds of me landing a job at an hospital? How long on average does it take? What are some good hospitals ( easier) to get in to? Thank you

[JeLi, BSN, RN]

Hello, 

I'm answering from what I've seen in the Bay Area. 

Hospitals are unionized so any job postings are open to the hospital RNs first for about 2 weeks, depending on union contract. Then it is open to the public. Per Diem jobs are snatched up quick by senior RNs (knew a nurse with 3 PD jobs with 3 different hospitals all over the Bay). If you're in a specialized field I.e OR, Cath Lab, etc you have a better chance. Depending on how desperate the hospital is you can be hired within 2 weeks or 2 months. The hospitals I've worked at requires 8 days/ month with 2 of them a weekend. PD are also required to work either one or 2 major holidays. 

I don't really see new hire PD to be honest. It's either the registry nurses here for a day to two or travelers. 

Things are completely different in  SoCal though so depending on where you wanna go. But no where beats pay in the Bay. My current hospital pays 25% more for PD. There's also a 10% difference for pm shift and 20% difference for noc. So the PD nurse working 11pm-7am is making 45% on top of her base and she's been there for 14 years.